Song of Wonder, Song of Mary (Marc)

Project 938 Small Groups Guide Sermon Based

Recapture the Wonder: December 9, 2018

1. What stood out in the Bible about this week’s sermon?
   


2. What stood out to you most about the sermon as a whole?
   


3. What was the application of this week’s sermon for our church?
   


4. What was the application of this week’s sermon for your personally?

**Community Question:**Mary, after becoming pregnant with Jesus, was placed in a situation that caused isolation and worry as she was isolated from her community. Luke records Mary’s song of praise, known as The Magnificat, in which she accepts her situation and praises God. How did Mary arrive at the point where she was able to accept and rejoice in the wonder that was about to come?

Read Luke 1:46-56 as a group and write down what you observe about the passage. Talk about initial observations/questions of the passage as a group and then transition into these questions.

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  Worry: When we worry, we become stuck. When we are stuck, we are unable to experience wonder. Mary was stuck and we can relate to the burden she carried.
  
  
  Are you stuck?
  
  
  Do you consider yourself someone who easily worries?
  
  
  How has worry impacted your life?
  

  
  


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  Wonder: Acceptance leads to wonder. The pathway of humility is the only way to acceptance. However, Resentment, “Uniqueitis”, Regret, and Pride are all barriers to this doorway. Mary struggled to accept her situation as something that would lead to Wonder.
  
  
  Are you experiencing any of these barriers? If so, how?
  
  
  Is there a situation that you are struggling to accept?
  

  
  


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  Acceptance: Accepting our situations as that which God is using to bring
  
  great wonder is not always easy. Mary traveled to see Elizabeth and wrote her song during this visit.
  
  
  How was Mary able to find acceptance?
  
  
  How might you be able to find acceptance?
  

  
  


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  Recapture the Wonder: Mary’s path led to the wonderful birth of Jesus. Via
  
  this path, as “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem” states, Jesus may “be born in us today.” Jesus knows the path from worry to wonder and lives within each of us.
  
  
  How can you allow him to show you the way to wonder?